Henrik and The Orchid

When we found this little guy a few years ago I had never owned a cat. Didn't know squat about them other than what I knew from barn cats over the years of having horses.  I admit I like his company. 

A few months ago we found out he is in kidney failure.  The vet said it could be a few weeks or a couple of years.  He is sick all the time now...he throws up so much food that I have to give him medicine to stimulate his appetite to eat more so he doesn't lose any more weight.  It's also supposed to help with nausea and some days it does.  Other days, not so much. So I celebrate every day with him and try to catch him doing the "normal" things like perching in the window by my beautiful orchid.

Up North Trip - last 2 days

 

On Saturday we slept in a little, tired from our fun-filled Friday, which hadn't ended until close to midnight since we decided to head out to find some dark skies for star gazing while the sky was still clear of clouds (and it was amazing!!).  The morning sky was overcast and there was rain in the forecast but we figured we had time to get to the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie before it started and then make our way into the lower peninsula while it rained.  

The museum at the locks was close for covid but they did have nice signs on the fence giving all the history that was really interesting.  We were lucky enough that the rain held off just as this huge freighter pulled in and we watched as it raised up to move from Lake Huron to Lake Superior (or maybe it was the other way...).

Our next planned stop was Petoskey but as we were driving, a friend of Garry's called and suggested we stop at Leg's, a famous German restaurant in Cross Village on Lake Michigan which then leads to the "Tunnel of Trees" on M-119.  We were game!  The rain that we had traveling south had moved out and the sun was peaking out as we arrived!  This place is known for its marvelous gardens overlooking the lake and they didn't disappoint although I didn't actually take many pics of them. 

Garry and I aren't big drinkers but we decided "day drinking' was in order for us to kick back in the Adirondack chairs and enjoy the view while we waited for our table.  It was early afternoon - about 2 pm - but this place was packed on a Saturday! Covid be damned!

I think we look a little ridiculously happy!  We hadn't even really had more than a sip of our drinks!

Legs is named after the white table legs that are part of the architecture of this old stone building.

YOu can see them a little better in this pic. 

Next stop - Petoskey!  After a visit to The Inn at Bay Harbor, one of my favorite resort hotels EVER, we hit the Skyline Trail to walk through the old-growth pine forest.  I had done part of this trail last year and LOVED it.  I couldn't wait to take Garry there and it didn't disappoint.  Walking in this section is just so ethereal. The ground is so softly covered in pine needles - you almost spring into your next step. It was still a bit damp in the forest from the earlier rains and on the cool side but still so beautiful!

About a mile out on the trail you come to this lookout.  It wasn't sunset yet but with the clouds moving back in, it was starting to turn the sky.

We went much further than I had gone last year and loved this section of deciduous trees that were blowing in the wind making those most wonderful sounds!

We left the hike and bee-lined it back to Bay Harbor to catch the sunset. Unfortunately, the clouds were just a little too dark and heavy for there to be many colors.  But it was still a nice way to wrap up the evening sitting on the rocks with Garry trying to split the shale with a sharp stone.

Sunday morning was a bit of a whirlwind as we had to head home.  We stopped in Charlevoix for breakfast and walk out to the lighthouse and around the docks.  Then on to Boyne City where we walked along Lake Charlevoix and through the town where I had spent so much time as a kid. The pic below is at the Boyne City Park.

From there we went to Boyne Mountain for a quick drive by since Garry had never been there and then on to Gaylord where we hoped to buy some cherries but...didn't happen.   Next stop, Zehnders in Frankenmuth for their famous chicken dinner!!

We were pretty much worn out and ready for home after stuffing ourselves with what ended up being our last big "meat" dinner!  I don't think either of us has had more than a couple ounces of meat since then in our quest for better health.  

It was an amazing UP NORTH trip and we had a blast!!

Up North Trip - Day 3

 Day 3 started early!  We needed to get from Mackinaw City to Munising for a fun little excursion I had planned. But first, we crossed the Mighty Mac - Garry's first time across!!

We ended up arriving at our destination a little earlier than planned but found this pretty little waterfall just a short walk away.  It was along the main road but was a nice diversion.

A short while later, and a short bus ride, we were launching our kayaks at Pictured Rocks for a 3 hour excursion into Lake Superior! This was my first time to Pictured Rocks and my first time touching water in Lake Superior!

We had another perfect weather day with barely any wind.  LOTS of people were out for this trip about 16 in our group but there were lots of other tour groups on the lake too.  Fresh air sports in Covid times are pretty popular!!

The rocks were really pretty - and having such great weather really let them show off.

Again, the water looked almost tropical it was so blue and calm!  Hard to imagine that it gets so rough on this lake that many big ships have sunk here.

They are a little hard to see but this area was filled with birds - it's a popular nesting area apparently.

Garry had the front of the kayak and I was steering in the back.  We both needed a good dose of sunshine for our ghostly skin!

Just beautiful!

Navigating between these rocks should have been quite easy - remember - I was in charge of steering!!  But when you decide you want to take pictures while trying to steer, which requires your paddle, it wasn't so simple.  Let's just say we may have hit the rocks a little!

So after almost 5 hours of getting to and from Pictured Rocks via shuttle (which included 3 hours of paddling in Lake Superior), we decided we hadn't had enough fun yet and headed to Taquanamen Falls!  I had never been here either but as a true Michigan, this is a must.  We weren't far off from sunset so we decided to drive to the upper falls, do the walkabout and then drive down to the lower falls instead of doing what is labeled as a rather challenging hike between the two.  We simply wouldn't have enough time considering its about 8 miles round trip.

I'm glad we chose to go to the upper falls first.  Another place with a million stairs to get to all the viewing points.  This was a rather short set compared to many.  

But the viewing spots were worth the stairs - every stop was simply beautiful and the pictures don't come close to doing it justice.

My arms are just too short for good selfies!

The falls are just so pretty with their brown staining from tannins.  The mist and sun make a pretty little rainbow from this angle.

 

Ah, my handsome guy!

Down at the lower falls.

There are actually several sets of falls at the lower falls and all of them look a little bit different.

It was a really, really full day!!  We left the falls after sunset with very empty stomachs. On our way to our hotel in the Soo, we found a Pizza Hut, pretty much in the middle of nowhere, and stopped. It was one of the best darn pizzas I've ever had!!  

Up North Day 2

 First stop - Mackinac Island!  I was trying to figure out how many times I had been to the island...maybe 6 or 7?  But amazingly enough, I had only been to the fort once before with Madison.  Garry and both enjoy history so this was our first stop. I also figured since it was at the top of a hill with a lot of stairs, we may as well get that in while we were fresh!

The day was perfect weather-wise.  Mid 70's with blue skies and a light breeze.

Mandatory cannon photos!

And a selfie!

We quickly found that offering to take pics of other people got us the same in return.  This lady took great pictures!

The top of the hill walkway around the back of the fort overlooking the lake!!

Awwww! We look so happy - and we were. We are!

Overlooking the Grand Hotel's 9hole golf course.

The water was so blue it looked more like the Carribean than Michigan lake water!

Panoramic view of the harbor from atop the fort.

Next stop - renting bikes!  Another mandatory thing to do on the island.  You HAVE to ride a bike around the island at least once in your life!

You also have to make many stops to enjoy the scenery and water. Here we are by an old cannon but looking back towards the bridge.

Seriously beautiful water!  

We stopped here to climb the rocks and eat some fudge. Did I mention we had stopped to buy fudge?  Another mandatory island thing to do!!  And made use of the self-timer on my phone to take this selfie hands free!

And then Garry decided he had to dip his feet in the cold water?

And I had to join him!  But boy were those little rocks hard to walk on!!

We were getting silly with wanting to eat ALL the fudge!!

Next stop - the arched rock!

So the last time I climbed up to the arched rock, there were some crude steps made with logs in the steep hillside dirt path. Now there is a really nice wooden walkway with real stairs. Lots and lots of stairs!  But the view...it's worth it.

Selfie time!

Now tell me that water doesn't look tropical!  

We took pictures of two couples who then volunteered to take our picture. She took forever taking the picture telling us she was a wedding photographer. Ahem. She isn't very good!

Next stop, walking by the Grand Hotel.  Not on the porch though. That costs $10!!

The landscaping and flowers are just breathtaking and what a view!

It was early evening at this point and we still had walking to do!

We wove our wave behind the Grand Hotel taking some little side roads I had never been on before.  We passed the stables, and some beautiful houses.  We went to the main island cemetery and roamed around checking out the older headstones. And then to the old military cemetery.  

I had also never been to Skull Cave on the island!

It wasn't all that much to look at!  But it was a nice walk to get there.

And finally, it was time to catch our ferry back to Mackinaw City - perfect timing for a beautiful sunset!

It was an amazing day with perfect weather!